existing situation or activity in a significant way" Miriam-Webster So we survived the so-called end of the world, which was never going to be the end of the world, but whatever. There were a lot of posts from energy intuitives on Facebook that day and the days surrounding about all the energy that was flowing, because even though it wasn’t the end of the world, 12-21-12 still represented a significant shift in the world’s energy. It was “a game changer.” (I, for once—oddly—felt absolutely no special energy flowing in and around those days so I can’t offer any insight as to the heightened specialness of the day.) However, I can attest that this winter I am in a profound period of newness; I haven’t felt this much disorientation since right before my mystical awakening a little more than ten years ago. It all began with a book. I somehow intuited the significance of the book even before I opened it because after I brought it home from the library I would hold the book in my hands and spontaneously start jumping up and down from excitement. (I'm eternally grateful for drapes that hide my bliss from the world.) I knew this book was the right thing at the right time even though I hadn’t yet read a thing inside. As the saying goes, “When the student is ready the teacher appears,” and more often than not, that teacher for me has been a book. But having read this book, it didn’t really teach me anything new. In fact, every single “truth” it taught I’ve already known since my awakening and have taught others and written about in my own books. Nevertheless, the book did apply these truths at a level that I had never thought to do so. The result has been feeling like I’m Alice down the rabbit hole—again. It’s the same rabbit hole, just deeper. After the shock of the implications of this book wore off, I realized it, too, is a game changer. This season of game changing newness was symbolized on Christmas Eve day, when my family and I had an important animal visitation. A giant pileated woodpecker (see picture above) landed in the tree just outside our front window and stayed for quite awhile. We enjoyed watching it throw off the old bark and indeed, I was not surprised to find out that the woodpecker animal medicine represents newness, as in embracing new rhythms. The next night I dreamed I was playing a game and in the middle of the game the rules changed. I was befuddled and upset. How was I supposed to play a game when the rules could change at any minute with no warning and with no explanation? This is exactly the disorientation I had been feeling after reading my game-changing book. At this point, I’m still trying to get the hang of the new rules and see how they play out. Having been through a big game change in my life before, here are some suggestions as to survive and thrive a big game change in your own life. 1) Go slow. Make no sudden moves. When the rules about how the world works have changed for you, rather than jumping right in, pause. If you jump right in, you’re likely to get thrown right out to the sidelines again until you discern a little more about the new rules. If it’s fun for you to get thrown around, feel free to jump in. Otherwise, in the beginning of a game change, take your time. You’ve got all the time you need. 2) Become the observer. Embrace your place on the sidelines and just observe for awhile. What’s working? What’s not working? How are things changing/changed? How do I feel about the new rules? 3) Let go. When you’re in a game change, most or even all the rules may change. Attachment to your old ways of doing and seeing things will only delay your embracing the new game and the new rhythms. Be as open as you can to the new and process whatever you need to in order to let go of the past and its patterns. 4) Don’t take it too seriously. It’s a game changer, but remember it’s still a game! You are an unlimited, eternal being and nothing can change that in this human game we are all playing—no matter what rules we are playing by. Laugh, have fun, and do what brings you joy. The end. The Divine has often come to me as Game Changer. No matter what I have wanted or hoped for or planned, inevitably Spirit has brought something totally different to my life, that ended up far better than what I could have dreamed. So, with my new game change going on, playing with new rules, who knows what the New Year will bring? So rather than setting resolutions or intentions for now, I am going slow, letting go, observing and having fun and I’ll see what surprises unfold. I’ll let you know what I learn. Happy New Year!

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